In this article, we’ll explore the varying components that make the theory test a highly challenging assessment. This will involve reviewing the subjects you’ll cover during the theory test and the techniques you’ll need to consider when responding to questions and exercises. We’ll also provide some advice on how to best prepare for the test, and therefore how to address some of these particularly difficult aspects.
What is included in the theory test?
The theory test consists of two distinct sections. You’ll first navigate the multiple-choice portion of the test, before moving onto a set of hazard perception exercises. You must pass both of these modules to acquire your theory test certificate. Please note that you’re unable to book your practical driving assessment until you’ve acquired this certificate, so it’s vital you appropriately prepare for this test.
Multiple-choice
During the first part of your test, you’ll answer a series of multiple-choice questions. These questions will be focused on the following topics:
- Understanding the contents and purpose of the Highway Code
- Understanding the role and function of road traffic signage
- Having a basic awareness of road safety legislation and licensing regulations
- The importance of demonstrating positive driving behaviours and executing manoeuvres in a safe and competent fashion.
- Understanding how to drive in different road environments and weather conditions.
- Understanding the dangers of drink and drug driving
Therefore, you’ll have to tackle a range of complex themes. Before you sit your test, it’s imperative you thoroughly revise all of the above topics. This will enable you to plug any gaps in your knowledge, and give you a well-rounded understanding of the subject matter. There are plenty of helpful revision tools available, the best and most comprehensive of which is our own material.
Module breakdown
You’ll be required to answer 50 multiple-choice questions. These will be presented in a variety of different formats. Before providing your response, you may be required to review a case study, observe an image, or perform a basic calculation. Therefore, this isn’t just a straightforward question-and-answer exercise.
Many candidates fall into the trap of assuming this part of the test is relatively simple. This is due to the nature of multiple-choice tests. As you know one (or more) of the answers provided is correct, you may believe you have a much greater chance of submitting the right response. However, this is not necessarily the case. A question is only easy if you know the answer! Therefore, make sure you allocate an appropriate amount of revision time to prepare for this test – don’t become complacent!
You’ll be presented with 50 multiple-choice questions. You must answer 43 of these questions correctly to successfully navigate this module. Therefore, you must achieve a score of 86% or above. Most candidates provide all of their responses within approximately 45 minutes. However, you are allowed to take up to 57 minutes to complete this part of the assessment. This is a more than sufficient timeframe to carefully work through each question, and conduct a quick review before submitting your final answers.
Hazard Perception
The Hazard Perception exercises are designed to assess how quickly you can respond to road safety risks. This is a much more difficult task than answering the aforementioned multiple-choice questions, as you’ll need to be extremely observant, alert, and reactive throughout the duration of the module.
You’ll watch 14 separate video clips. Each will contain footage of an everyday UK public highway, filmed from the perspective of the driver. This places you directly behind the steering wheel, enabling you to review the footage as if you were actually inside the vehicle.
While reviewing these clips, you’ll be required to identify developing hazards. Any event that makes you stop abruptly or swiftly change direction can be classed as a hazard. The DVSA expects drivers to spot these potential dangers early and quickly take corrective action. This ensures hazards are addressed as soon as they begin to develop rather than later down the line, mitigating the level of risk. By efficiently dealing with developing hazards, you can help to protect the safety of yourself and other road users. Therefore, the hazard perception module serves an extremely important purpose.
Some examples of developing hazards you may see captured in the footage:
- A vehicle attempting to merge into your lane from a side road
- A pedestrian – perhaps a child or elderly person – stepping onto the road in front without prior warning.
- The vehicle ahead of you braking suddenly and abruptly
- A cyclist riding in close proximity to your vehicle
- Ongoing roadworks
Conducting the test
As soon as you identify a developing hazard, click your mouse to confirm you’re aware of the threat. If you deliver a quick response, this suggests you would be ready to efficiently deal with developing hazard in a real-world situation. The number of points you score in this part of the assessment is contingent on the speed of your reactions. The quicker you click your mouse, the more points you’ll progressively acquire.
Given how difficult this module is, it’s perhaps unsurprising that some candidates look for ways to cheat the system. Techniques such as clicking at set intervals or in an indiscriminate fashion have been used, but the software is sophisticated enough to detect this type of activity. If you do adopt either of these methods while reviewing any one of the 14 video clips, you’ll instantly score zero points for that exercise. There are no shortcuts to success!
Please note that you will be unable to pause, rewind, or slow down any of the footage. You must review the clips in ‘real-time’ speed, as this provides the most accurate measure of your ability to identify hazards.
Scoring system
Each developing hazard you identify is worth up to a maximum of five points. As there are 15 developing hazards depicted across the 14 clips (one video contains two DH’s, and all others contain one), there are a total of 75 points available. The pass score for this part of the assessment is 44 points. Therefore, you’ll need to acquire at least 58.6% of the points on offer. This may seem like a relatively low pass threshold, but achieving the required score is a considerable task. To help you in your preparations, we would advise you to take as many hazard perception mock tests as possible. Mock tests are widely available online, but we would recommend using the DVSA’s official practice exercises. These are available via the Safe Driving for Life website.
Pass rates
When attempting to understand how challenging a specific assessment is, it’s always useful to review pass rate data. If only a small number of candidates manage to pass, this clearly suggests the assessment carries a substantial degree of difficulty.
The average nationwide pass rate for the theory test is currently around 45%, having dropped significantly over the course of the last decade. It seems as if this assessment is becoming increasingly tougher, as the DVSA continues on its mission to improve standards amongst the UK’s driver population. Given the scale of this pass rate percentage, we can safely deduce that the theory test is a difficult assessment.
Final thoughts
Throughout the theory test, you’ll be required to address a variety of complex themes. You’ll also need to demonstrate that you can competently identify developing hazards. This is by no means an easy task, as demonstrated by the volume of candidates that fail this assessment.
To give yourself the best chance of passing, take appropriate steps to ensure you’re fully prepared. Learn about the structure and format of the test, use DVSA-approved revision tools, conduct mock tests, and ask your driving instructor for support. The theory test is undoubtedly difficult, but it’s possible to pass this assessment with flying colours if you adopt the correct approach.